Culture

Computer Problem Solving

Match-to-Sample

Computer based testing enables researchers to “ask” chimpanzees questions which evaluate their social cognition. Chimpanzees are presented with visual stimuli samples on a computer monitor and then allowed to maneuver a joystick to select images which match the sample, such as photographs of conspecifics. By manipulating the context by which images match, such as age or familiarity, it is possible to evaluate chimpanzee social cognition and problem solving abilities.